Freight transportation systems



Nov. 24, 1964 D. cLEJAN FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS 11 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 18, 1959 Nov. 24, 1964 D. CLEJAN 3,158,106,

FREIGHT TRANsPoRTAToN SYSTEMS Filed May 18, 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 ma) ma: 5gg-4- //08 my ff /4 //4 /08 //4 /06 g k, A j

I N VE N TOR. 500,97- (25m/v Trams/Fys Nov. 24, 1964 D. cLEJAN FREIGHT TRANSPoRTAToN SYSTEMS 1l Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 18, 1959 INVENTOR. 50067* Ze-.MW BY@ M (1 w M K @o n@ A@ d NG G i mm Q Swix@ uw l, S @mu /l/l f 1V .F Vl H SWWYSS nm SS S ms S m Nov. 24, 1964 D. cLEJAN 3,158,105

FREIGHT TRANSPORTATEON SYSTEMS Filed May 18, 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 4 @4L/mw. g a7@ SJ Sw. 5 A Jg m E Si QS 22 E @QM l1 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 18, 1959 S mS @S Nov. 24, 1964 D cLEJAN 3,158,106

FREIGHT TRANsPoRTATIoN SYSTEMS Fed May 18, 1959 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 www ;1504 l I JNVENTOR.

BY @MM MW )ww 2 w70@ ATof/leys Nov. 24, 1964 Q CLEJAN FREIGHT TRANsPoRTAToN SYSTEMS 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed May 18, 1959 'INI/ENTOR.

f EODT CLEJN Ahorneys Nov. 24, 1964 D. cLEJAN FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS 1l Sheets-SheelI 10 Filed May 18, 1959 Ahomeys.

Nov, 24, 1964 D. CLEJAN FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS 1l Sheets-Sheet ll Filed May` 18, 1959 KN @uw i M m E 2 m m a A M ww D y Tm, B @S 1/ @QJ n@ /N f f R lv QQQQ Q Sv 5TM? .GI u n wh m n; n uw EN n u llEl. n T\\ S `f k f \l\ f f\ k @QS bmg @QS mg msg United States Patent 3,158,1@6 F EIGHT IRANSFRTATIN SYSTEMS Dender Clejan, Chicago, Iii., assigner, by mesne assignments, to General American Transportation Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a New York corporation Fiteti May I8, i959, Ser. No.. 813,957 4 Ciaims. (Qi. MES- 356) The present invention relates to freight transportation systems and to freight transportation units employed in such systems. This application is a continuation-impart of the copending application of Deodat Clejan, Serial No. 734,755, led May l2, 195 8, now abandoned.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved freight transportation system of the rail-road-ship type comprising a freight carrier that may be readily mounted upon any one of a number of vehicles (railway cars, highway trailers, ships, etc.) for transportation thereon, and that may be readily transferred from one to another of such vehicles; whereby a lading in the freight carrier may be shipped undisturbed from its origin to its destination, without reference to the number or the types of vehicles that may be involved en route, and without consideration of this circumstance by either the consignor or the consignee.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved transportation system including a railway vehicle and a highway vehicle and a freight carrier, wherein the freight carrier may be selectively supported upon these vehicles and may be selectively held and released with respect to the frame of the supporting vehicle in a simple and ready manner and may be readily transferred from one to the other of the vehicles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an iniproved transportation system including a highway vehicle and a freight carrier, wherein the frame of the highway Vehicle and the base of the freight carrier are `so constructed and arranged that the base may be detachably mounted upon the frame to accommodate ready selective placement and removal of the freight carrier with respect to the highway vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a highway vehicle including a supporting frame of improved construction and arrangement accommodating the detachable mounting thereupon of a cooperating removable freight carrier.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved transportation system including a railway vehicle and a freight carrier, wherein the frame of the railway vehicle and the base of the freight carrier are so conmounted upon the frame to accommodate ready selective placement and removal of the freight carrier with respect to the railway vehicle.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the transportation system, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained. i

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the foilowing speciiication taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a freight transportation system embodying the presentinvention and including a railway car carrying four freight carriers;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the freight transportation system including a highway trailer carrying one of the freight carriers and a railway car carrying two of the freight carriers and indicating the manner in which one of the freight carriers may be transferred in either direction between the highway trailer and the adjacent end of the railway car;

Patented' Nov. ,24, 1964 ice FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan View of the frame ofthe highway trailer shown in FIG. 2 and illustrating the same as being of the semi-trailer type;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan View, partly broken away, of one of the freight carriers shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and illustrating the construction of the base thereof, including the depending rollers carried thereby;

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged lateral sectional view of the frame of the highway semi-trailer, taken in thedirec- FIG. 8 is a further enlarged lateral sectional view of the railway car and thefreight carrier mounted thereon of FIG. 2, illustrating the arrangement for securing the base of the freight carrier to the frame of the railway car;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the freight transportation system, including a modied form of the highway semi-trailer arranged to carry two'of the freight carriers and a ship arranged to carry in the hold thereof a great number of the freight carriers, and indicating the manner in which one of the freight carriers may be transferred in either direction between the highway semi-trailer and the adjacent end of the hold of the ship;

FIG. 10 is a further enlarged fragmentary end view, partly broken away, of the freight carrier, illustrating a modified arrangement of the rollers carried by the base thereof;

FIG. 1l is a furthervenlarged fragmentary end view, partly broken away, of the freight carrier, similar to FIG. 10, illustrating another modified arrangement of the rollers carried by the base thereof;

FIG. 12 is a further enlarged fragmentary end view, partly broken away, of the freight carrier, similar to FIG. 1l, illustrating the arrangement of the base thereof in the case where the rollers are not installed thereon;

FIG. 13 is a further enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, partly broken away, of the freight carrier, Y

illustrating a further modified arrangement of the rollers carried by the base thereof;

FIGS. 14a and 14b are further enlarged companion fragmentary side elevational views of the freightV carrier, illustrating still another modified arrangement of the rollers carried by the base thereof; (in FIGS. 14a and 14h the rollers mentioned being respectively shown in their inactive and active positions);

FIG. l5 is a still further enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, partly broken away, of the freight earrier shown in FIGS. 14a and 14b and illustrating in greater detail the mounting arrangement of the rollers mentioned;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the base of the freight carrier, illustrating modified structure that may be incorporated therein for securing the same in place upon the cooperating railway car;

FIG. l7 is an enlarged lateral sectional viewY of the base, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 1'7-I7 in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the base of the freight carrier, illustrating additional structure that may be incorporated therein for effecting automatic setting of cooperating securing hooks incorporated in the framek of the cooperating railway car;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the base, taken in the direction of the ar-v rows along the line 19-19 in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a further enlarged fragmentary side elevational View of the freight carrier, illustrating a modified arrangement for securing the saine in place upon the frame of the cooperating railway car;

FIG. 21 is a further enlarged fragmentary lateral sectional view of the freight carrier shown in FIG. 20, further illustrating the arrangement for securing the same in place upon the frame of the cooperating railway car;

FIG. 22 is a further enlarged fragmentary plan view, partly broken away, of the freight carrier shown in FIGS. 2O and 21, further illustrating the arrangement for securing the same in place upon the frame of the cooperating railway car;

FIG. 23 is a reduced side elevational View of two of the freight carriers of modified construction and incorporating special structure accommodating stacking thereof;

- FIG. 24 is a reduced end elevational View of the two stacked freight carriers, as shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional View of the junction between the two stacked freight carriers, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 25-25 in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary end elevational view, partly broken away and partly in section, of two of the freight carriers of modified construction and also incorporating special structure accommodating stacking thereof;

FIG. 27 is a side elevational View of the freight transportation system, similar to FIG. 1, and illustrating the railway car carrying a number of the freight carriers of different sizes;

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of the freight transportation system, similar to FIG. 27, and illustrating the railway car carrying two freight carriers, one in the form of a freight container and the other in the form of a highway semi-trailer;

FIG. 29 is a side elevational view of the freight transportation system, similar to FIGS. 27 and 28, and illustrating the railway car carrying two of the freight carriers in the form of freight containers of different sizes, and

another of the freight carriers in the form of a pallet; and

FIG. 30 is an enlarged fragmentary end elevational view of the upper portion of the frame of the railway car and the lower portion of the frame of the highway semi-trailer, as shown in FIG. 28, and illustrating the arrangement for securing the highway semi-trailer in place in its mounted position upon the frame of the railway car.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the freight transportation system there illustrated, and embodying the features of the present invention, is of the general character of that disclosed in the copending application of Etienne de Grandpre, Serial No. 747,724, filed July 10, 1958, now Patent No. 3,033,129, and of that disclosed in the copending application of Etienne de Grandpre, Serial No, 747,779, illed Iuly 10, 1958, now Patent No. 2,949,865, granted August 23, 1960; and this system essentially comprises a railway vehicle or car 40, a highway vehicle in the form of a semi-trailer 60 and one or more freight carriers or containers 100. Preferably, the railway car 40 is of the general construction of that disclosed in the copending application of Deodat Clejan, Serial No. 593,848, liled Iune 26, 1956, now Patent No. 2,955,492, granted Iuly 12, 1960, and is, of course, adapted for travel over a conventional railway track, indicated at 11. The highway semi-trailer 60 is, of course, adapted for travel over a conventional highway, indicated at 12; and the highway semi-trailer 60 may be drawn along the highway 12 by a conventional highway, tractor 13 provided with the usual fifth-wheel mechanism, indicated at 14. The freight containers 160 are arranged for transfer between the frame of the railway car 40 and the frame of the highway semi-trailer 60, as explained more fully hereinafter; and in the arrangement illustrated, the frame of the railway car 40 is adapted to receive and to support four of the freight containers to FIGS. 4 and 8.

100, while the frame of the highway semi-trailer 60 is adapted to receive and to support a single one of the freight containers 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 8, the railway car 40 is of skeleton construction, comprising a longitudinally extending frame 41 in the form of a center sill that is carried at the opposite ends thereof by a pair of fourwheeled trucks 42, cooperating with the rails of the associated railway track 11; and ordinarily the wheels carried by the trucks 42 and the railway track 11 are of standard gauge. As illustrated, the center sill 41 essentially comprises a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart I-bearns 43 that are suitably tied together by a number of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart cross members 44, each of which may comprise a short I-bearn, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Of course, the opposite ends of the center sill 41 are provided with the usual laterally extending body holsters, not shown, that are pivotally connected to the usual truck holsters, not shown, carried by the trucks 42 by center pins, not' shown, so as to accommodate articulation of the trucks 42 with respect to the opposite ends of the center sill 41. The center sill 41 possesses the required rigidity for supporting the freight containers 1011i; and the usual car couplers, not shown, are mounted in the opposite ends of the center sill 41.

In the construction, the longitudinally extending center sill 41, consisting essentially of the two I-beams 43, and interconnecting the trucks 42, is substantially narrower than the gauge of the railway track 11, so that the sides of the center sill 41 are disposed well inwardly with respect to the adjacent sides of the trucks 42. Also, the upper flanges 45 of the I-bearns 43 cooperate to provide the rails of a narrow-gauge auxiliary track, provided on the top of the center sill 41; which auxiliary track, defined by the rails 45, is of a gauge essentially narrower than the standard gauge of the railway track 11.

Before proceeding with further description of the railway car 40, it is first noted that each of the freight containers 1u@ comprises a rigid underframe that carries two longitudinally spaced-apart pairs of laterally spacedapart low rollers 101, as will be understood by reference More particularly, each of the rollers 101 is provided with a flange 102 that is disposed adjacent to the outer end thereof; whereby each pair of laterally spaced-apart rollers is inwardly facing/and of the narrow gauge of the auxiliary track provided on the top of the center sill 41 by the flanges 45 of the I-bearns 43, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 8. Accordingly, the freight container is supported upon the top of the center sill 41 by the four rollers 191 and may be readily rolled longitudinally along the top of the center sill 41 upon the rollers 101. The longitudinal rolling movement of the container 100 along the top of the center sill 41 is guided by the two pairs of inwardly facing flanged rollers 101, the flanges 102 cooperating with the adjacent sides of the outwardly directed portions of the flanges 45 for the guide purpose, in an obvious manner. Also in each of the freight containers 100, the rigid underframe comprises a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart tie-down bars 103, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, that are employed for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter.

Returning now to lthe construction of the railway car 40, the center sill 41 also carries four longitudinally spaced-apart tie-down shock-absorber mechanisms 45, as indicated in FIG. 1. Each of the mechanisms 45 comprises, as best shown in FIG. 8, two longitudinally extending and laterally spaced apart shafts 47 respectively mounted upon suitable brackets 48 respectively secured to the upper portions of the webs 49 of the I-beams 41; whereby the shafts 47 are disposed within the hollow center sill 41 adjacent to the upper portions of the webs 49 and immediately below the inwardly directed portions of the flanges 45 of the I-beams 43. Each of the shafts 47 is mounted for both rotary movement and longitudinal sliding movement in the associated mounting brackets 43; and each of the shafts 47 carries one or more hooks Sil rigidly secured thereto and movable therewith. Each of the mechanisms 46 also comprises manually operable means, not shown, for simultaneously rotating the shafts 47 in opposite directions with respect to each other; whereby the shafts 47 may be rotated away from each other in order to move the hooks Sii out of the hollow center sill 41 and into operated positions disposed above the flanges 45 and engaging the tie-down bars 103 carried by the underframe of the associated freight container 160, as illustrated in FlG. 8; and whereby the shafts 127 may be rotated toward each other in order to move the hooks Sil back into the hollow center sill t1 and thus into retracted positions, disengaging the cooperating tie-down bars 163 carried by the underframe of the associated freight container 11111.

The hooks Sil in their operated positions, as illustrated in FIG. 8, secure the lassociated freight container 1li@ to the mechanism 46; which mechanism Sd also incorporates shock absorber equipment, not shown; wrereby the freight container 1138, while secured to the associated mechanism 45, is capable of limited longitudinal rolling movements along the auxiliary track provided by the flanges 45 upon the top of the center sill 41; which limited longitudinal rolling movements are resiliently damped by the shock absorber equipment incorporated in the mechanism 4d, thereby to prevent the transmission of severe longitudinal shocks between the center sill 41 of the railway car fill and the underframe of the cooperating freight container 169.

Of course, when the mechanism 46 is operated to move the hooks Sil into their retracted positions, releasing the underframe of the associated freight container' 1119, the freight container Iltlt may be moved along the auxiliary track provided on the top of the center sill 41 of the railway car 4t) without interference with the hooks 50, since the hooks Sil in their retracted positions are disposed within the hollow center sill 41. Thus, it will be understood that when the mechanism 46 is operated to move the hooks S@ into their retracted positions, the freight container 16u may be readily rolled along the auxiliary track provided on the top of the center sill 41 for the loading and unloading purpose, each of the freight containers ltl rolling along the auxiliary track mentioned on the four rollers 161 carried by the underframe thereof, as previously noted. ln passing, it is mentioned that in loading the freight containers 11i@ upon the railway car 4t), each of the freight containers llltl is brought into proper cooperating position with respect to one of the associated tie-down shock-absorber mechanisms 46; whereupon the mechanism 46 mentioned is actuated from its retracted position into its operated position for the purpose of providing the operative connection between the freight container 1%' and the center sill 41; which operative connection includes the combined tie-down and shock-absorber functions of the mechanism 46, as previously explained.

Considering now in greater detail the construction of the freight container 161i, and referring particularly to FlGS. l, 4 and 8, the freight container 1u@ essentially comprises ya rigid underfrarne d that carries a floor 1&5, upstanding boundary wall structure 166 and a roof 1117. The opposite sides of the wall structure 1116 are provided with suitable door structures, double doors 16S being illustrated for the purpose of the present description; whereby it will be understood that the lading that is carried in the freight container 1110' may be readily loaded and unloaded through the doorways in the opposite side walls thereof when the doors 108 occupy their open positions.

The underframe 164 is fabricated from suitable preformed steel sections and comprises, as best shown in FIG. 8, substantially rectangular perimeter structure,

including a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart side channels 109 and a-pair of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart end channels 110, the llanges of the channels 101 and 110 being inwardly directed and suitably secured together, as by welding. Further, the underframe 184 comprises, as best shown in FiG. 4, two pairs of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart I-bearns 111 respectively disposed longitudinally inwardly with respect to the adjacent end channels 110, as well as a number of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart I-beams 112 arranged adjacent to the midportion of the underframe 104, and also a pair of'laterally extending plates 113 respectively disposed between the adjacent pairs of l-beams 111-112. The oppositeends of the I-beams 111 and 112 and the opposite ends of the plates 113 are rigidly secured to the respective side channels 1139, thereby to provide the rigid underframe lil-i. In the arrangement, 4the pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart tiedown -bars 103 extend through aligned openings provided in the l-bearns 111 and 112 and in the plates 113, and the opposite ends of the bars 103 are rigidly secured to the end channels 11d so as further to provide tie-structure in order to insure -a rigid construction of the underfrarne 104. Also, the tie -bars 103 are suitably secured as by welding, to the adjacent portions of the elements 111, 112 an 113, through which they extend.

ln view of the foregoing, it will be understood that at each end of the underframe 1M, there is arranged a pair of the laterally extending and longitudinally spacedapart l-eearns 111; which pair of l-beams 111 are secured together by two lpairs of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart substantially L-shaped plates 114. The plates 114 are arranged in inverted position, as 1cest shown in FlG. 8, and the opposite ends thereof are rigidly secured to the adjacent portionsof the l-beams 111 between the inwardly directed flanges thereof. Accordingly, each pair of plates 114 cooperating with the associated pair of l-beams 111 define an open box-like structure in which one of the rollers 101 is mounted. As best shown in FlG. S, each flanged roller 101 is rotatably mounted upon an associated axle 115 that extends laterally between the associated pair of longitudinally extending plates 11d. ln the arrangement the box-like structures delined by the pairs of plates 114 are disposed laterally outwardly with respect to the ltie bars 193, so that each laterally spaced-apart pair of flanged rollers 1&1 are positioned at the required narrow gauge of the auxiliary track provided on the top of the center` sill 411 ofthe railway car 4t), as shown in FIG. 8. Of course, the -two pairs of y flanged rollers 191 are longitudinally aligned so that the freight container 1li@ is properly centered upon the top of the center sill 41 of the railway car il@ when it is carried thereby.

Again referring to FG. 8, it will be observed that the central portions of the end channels 110, the l-beams 111 and 112 and the plates 113 are formed so that a cornposite centrally disposed longitudinally extending saddle 116 is defined in the bottom of the underframe 1% and so that the llanged rollers 101l are arranged in this saddle 116. More particularly, the flanged rollers 1111 of each pair are disposed laterally adjacent to the respective sides of the saddle 116; and the plates 114 extend downwardly somewhat less than the extent of the end channels 110, the l-beams 111 and 112 and the plates 113, so that the axles 11S are disposed in a plane positioned above the plane of `the bottom surface of the underframe 1G41 and positioned below the floor 195; whereby the flanged rollers 1111 are also positioned below the lioor and entirely within the saddle 116. More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the flanges 1112 of the rollers 101 project downwardly toward the plane of the bottom surface of the underframe 1M, but terminate thereabove; whereby the flanges 182 of the rollers 1111 are disposed slightly above a llat surface arranged in supporting relation with respect to the bottom surface of the under-frame 134 of the freight container ."tltl.

Finally, in the construction of Athe freight container 100, it is noted that the extreme lower end of the boundary wall structure 166 is arranged exteriorly of and in wraparound relation with respect to the side and end channels l@ and 119, respectively; while the li-oor 195 is supported about the perimeter thereof by the inwardly directed ilanges carried by the side and end channels 1439 and l, respectively. Also, the intermediate portions of the floor 165 are directly supported by the top flanges of the I- lbeams 111 and 112 and by the top edges of the plates 113. The -floor ltl may be formed of sheet steel and directly suitably welded to the engaged supporting elements ofthe underframe 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7, the highway semi-trailer 60 comprises an elongated longitudinally extending rigid frame or chassis 61 that carries the usual spring-supported rear road wheels 62 adjacent to the rear end thereof and the usual king pin 63 adjacent to the front end thereof; which king pin 63 is adapted to cooperate with the fifth-wheel mechanism 14 carried by the rear portion of the highway tractor 13, in the usual manner. Also, the intermediate front portion of the underframe 61 carries the usual front end landing-gear or dolly mechanism 64 that is movable between projected and retracted positions. The front end dolly mechanism 64 in its projected position supports the lfront end of the underframe 6l, when the king pin 63 is detached or disconnected from the tifth-wheel mechanism 1d; and, of course, the front end dolly mechanism 6d is operated into its retracted position, 4when the king pin 63 is attached or connected :to the fifth-wheel mechanism 1d; all in the usual manner.

The underframe 61 comprises a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart channels 65 that are interconnected at the front ends thereof by a suitable front end member 66 and that are interconnected at the rear ends thereof by a suitable rear end member 67. A first pair of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart angle members 68 are secured in place between the flanges of the side channel 65 adjacent to and rearwardly of the front end member 66; and a second pair of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart angle ymembers 68 are secured in place between the flanges of the side channel 65 adjacent to and forwardly of the rear end member 67; the side channels 65 are also secured together by a number of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart brace members 69 that are positioned intermediate the two pairs of angle members 68; and further7 the side channels 65 are secured together iby a number of pairs of cross-braces 7 tl that are positioned between two of the brace members 69. Accordingly, the underframe 61 of the highway semi-trailer 6th is of narrow elongated rigid structure.

Also the side channels 65 carry -two longitudinally extending angle members 7i adjacent to the upper outside portions of the webs thereof; which angle members 71 are rigidly secured in place, as by welding, so as to lend additional rigidity to the underframe 61 and so as to define, together with the upper flanges of the side channel 65, a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spacedapart composite rails 72 of an auxiliary track disposed on the top of the underframe 6l. This auxiliary track provided on the top of the underfralne 61 is of the same narrow gauge as that of the iianged rollers 161 carried by the underframe 104 of the freight container lili), and thus of the same narrow gauge as vthat of the auxiliary track provided on the top 4of the center sill 41 of the railway car 4t). Each of the rails 72 has the general configuration of the top ilange of an l-beam, as clearly illustrated in FGS. yand 7; whereby the rails 72 are adapted to engage and to support the iianged rollers lill carried by die underframe 1M of the freight container .ll-llt?. Specilically, in the arrangement, the anges 102 provided on each pair of laterally spaced-apart rollers lill straddle the rails 72 of the auxiliary track provided on the top of the undertframe 61 and guide upon the respectively associated angle members 7l, as best shown in FG. 7.

The front pair of angle members 68 cooperates with the adjacent portions of the side channels 65 to define a front substantially box-like structure in which there are arranged a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apaut shafts 73, the opposite ends of each shaft 73 being suitably journalled for rotation in cooperating bearings 74 respectively carried by the adjacent portions of the angle members 66. Likewise, the rear pair of angle members 68 cooperate with the adjacent portions of the side channels 65 to define a rear substantially boxlike structure in which there are arranged a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart shafts 73, the opposite ends of each shaft 73 being suitably journalled for rotation in cooperating bearings 74 respectively carried by lthe adjacent portions of the angle members 68. A front pair of laterally spaced-apart securing devices 75 are respectively rigidly secured to the front pair of Y rotatably mounted shafts 73; and likewise, a rear pair of laterally spaced-apart securing devices 75 are respectively rigidly secured to the rear pair of rotatably mounted shafts 73. Each of the securing devices 75 is substantially L-shaped, including a laterally and inwardly directed arm terminating in a hook 76 that is arranged selectively to engage and to disengage .the adjacent portion of lthe cooperating tie-down bar 1633 carried by the underframe 104 of the freight container lltl, when the freight container lili) occupies its supported position upon ythe underframe 61 of the highway semi-trailer 60, as particularly illustrated in FIGS. t5 and 7. For the purpose of actuating simultaneously the securing devices 75, mechanism is provided that includes a longitudinally extending rod 77 arranged substantially centrally of the underframe 61 and journalled for rotation in aligned openings provided in the laterally extending elements 68, 69 and 70. Specifically, the rod 77 is journalled for rotation in cooperating bearings carried by the angle member 68, as illustrated in FiG. 6. Rigidly secured to the opposite ends of the rod 77 are two links 79; and the opposite ends of each of the links 79 are respectively connected to the lower arms of the associated pair of securing devices 75 by a pair of links Sil employing cooperating pins, indicated at 81 `and 32 in FIG. 5. The extreme lower end of at least one of the links 79 is operatively connected by a coil spring 83 to one of the angle members 68, so as to bias the link 79, and consequently the rod 77, for rotation in the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5. Also, at .the extreme lower end of :the link 79, to which the coil spring 83 is attached, an operating rod S4 is connected by a pin 85; which operating rod S4 extends laterally through an opening provided in one of the side channels 65, as illustrated in FIG. 5. More particularly, the operating rod 84 extends to the exterior of the underframe v61 and terminates in a loop-like handle 84a to facilitate longitudinal sliding movement thereof. A pair of laterally spaced-apart holes S6 are formed in the outer end of the operating rod 84 exteriorly of the adjacent side flange 65, and each of the holes 86 is adapted to receive a cooperating latch pin 87 that may be projected therethrough into cooperating relation with respect to a fixture 83 carried .by the lower portion of the side flange 65 disposed immediately below the operating rod 84.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operating rod 84 occupies its fully withdrawn position effecting rotation of the associated link 79 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 5; whereby the longitudinally extending rod 77 is rotated therewith, so as to cause the front and rear pairs ofrsecuring devices 75 .to be moved into their released positions with respect to the tie-down rods 163 carried by the underframerltl-t of the freight container lill); and the operating rod 84 is restrained in its fully withdrawn position against the bias of the coil spring 33 by the insertion of the latch pin 87 into the inner l tainer lill?.

@leende hole 86 through the operating bar 84 and into cooperating relation with respect to the xture 38. When the hooks 76 carried by the inner ends of the arms of the securing devices 75 occupy their unlatched positions lillustrated in FlG. 5, they are disposed below the `top of the underframe 6l, so that they do not interfere with rolling movement of the freight container lili) upon the top of the underframe 61. In order lto operate the hooks '76 into their latched positions with respect tothe tie-down rods 193 carried by the underframe rtl4 of the freight container lili), it is only necessary to withdraw the latch pin S7 from the associated hole S6 provided in the operating bar 84, whereby the coil spring S3 rotates the connected link 79 in the counterclockwise direction, as Viewed in FIG. 5; whereby the links '79 simultaneously aotuate the hooks 76 through the connected links 80 into their latched positions and into engagement with the tie-down bars 103 carried by the underframe lll-s of fthe freight container mi?, as shown in FlG. 7. In order positively to' insure that the hooks 7o are restrained in their latched positions, after movement thereto by the coil spring 83, the latch pin S7 may be again inserted through the outer hole 86 provided in the operating lbar i-/l and into cooperating relation with the fixture 88. i

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the operating bar 8d may be readily latched and unlatched with respect to either of its positions; whereby the hooks 76 may be readily restrained in either their latched or unlatched positions with respect to the tie-down bars 163 carried by the underframe lud of the freight con- Of course, it will be appreciated that the movement of the operating bar 84 is transmitted from one of `the links 79 via `the rotatably mounted rod 77 to the other of the links 79; whereby the two pairs of securing devices 75 are actuated in unison between their latched and unlatched positions, as explained above.

Considering now the overall operation of the freight transportation system, as illustrated in FlG. 2, it will be understood that the height of the roadway l2 is correlated with respect to the height of the railway track ll, so that the top of the frame 6l of the highway semitrailer e!) is disposed substantially in the plane of the top of the center sill il of the railway car 4tlg and so that when the highway tractor 13 backs the highway semi-trailer 69 into its adjacent position with respect to either end of the railway car 4G, the auxiliary track provided on the top of the frame 6l of the highway semi-trailer 69 is disposed in alignment with and in the same plane as the auxiliary track disposed 0n the top of the center sill 4l of the railway car 4Q; whereby the freight container lo@ may be moved in either direction, as required, between the highway semi-trailer e@ and the railway car di?. First assuming that the required alignment between the two auxiliary tracks has been achieved and that it is desired to move the freight container lill) carried by the highway semi-trailer e@ onto the railway car 46, the handle Stia carried by the operating bar 84 is manipulated so as to actuate the hooks FK into their unlatched positions with respect lto the tie-down bars BB3 carried by the underframe lila of the freight container lili); whereby the freight container liti) may be readily rolled upon its anged rollers lol from the auxiliary track provided on the top of the frame 6l onto the auxiliary track provided on the top of the center sill All. More particularly, the freight container lill) is rolled along the auxiliary track provided on the top of the center sill 4l until it is in the desired and proper position in cooperating relation with one of the mechanisms 45; whereupon the mechanism 46 is operated in lo" to move the freight container lill) carried by the railway car 40 onto the semi-trailer 60, lthe mechanism 46 carried by the center sill 41 is operated to move the hooks 50 into unlatched positions with respect to the tie-down bars llfi; whereupon the freight container 10u may be readily rolled from the auxiliary track provided on the top of the center sill il onto the auxiliary track provided on the top of the frame 6l. When the freight container lili? is in the proper position upon the highway semi-trailer 6l), the handle 34a caried by the operating bar 84 is actuated so as to set the hooks '7o into their latched positions with respect to the tie-down bars 163; and then the latch pin 87 is set, as previously explained, in order to restrain the hooks 76 in their latched positions.

Now when the freight container lil@ is latched inl place upon the top of the frame 6l of the highway semi-trailer dii, it is substantially rigidly secured to the frame 6l, since there is no occasion to shock longitudinal forces in conjunction with the operation of the highway semi-trailer titl, since the same in its normal operation is not subjected to severe longitudinal shocks, as is they case of the railway car 4l). 0n g the other hand, as previously noted, when the freight container is latched in place upon the top of the center sill 4l of the railway car 4t?, it is mounted by the cooperating mechanism 46 for limited rolling movements along the center sill 4l, so as to prevent .the transmission thereto of the severe longitudinal shocks to which the railway car il@ is normally subjected in operation.

When the freiht container lili? occupies its supported position upon the frame 6l of the highway semi-trailer ou, as shown in FIG. 7, the plane of the bottom of the underframe i34- overhangs the plane of the top of the frame 65 due to the provision of the longitudinally extending saddle 116 in the underframe lila and the low projection of the flanged rollers lill downwardly into the saddle 116 and into engagement with the rails 72 of the auxiliary track provided on the top of the frame 65. This arrangement contributes to a low center of gravity of the freight container 16u in its supported position upon the frame 65 of the highway semi-trailer 5t?. Similarly, when the freight container 10d occupies its supported position upon the center sill 4l of the railway car 453, as shown in FlG. 8, the plane of the bottom of the underframe N4 overhangs the plane of the top of the center sill 4l due to the provision of the longitudinally extending saddle 116 in the underframe ldd and the low projection of the flanged rollers lill downwardly into Ithe saddle 116 and into engagement with the rails 45 of the auxiliary track provided on the top of the center sill 41. This arrangement contributes to a low center of gravity of the freight container lill? in its supported position upon the center sill 4l of the railway car 40.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a modified form of the transporting system, embodying the present invention, is there illustrated that comprises a highway tractor 13, a highway semi-trailer 66a, and a ship lSll, as well as a plurality of the freight containers 100. In this form of the highway semi-trailer duzz, the frame 61a thereof is substantially longer than the corresponding frame 6l of the highway semi-trailer 60; whereby the highway semitrailer 60a is capable of carrying Itwo, instead of one, of the freight containers lill). Also, in this arrangement, the adjacent end (either bow or stern) of the ship 15h is provided with a hatch door, not shown, that may be' selectively moved between open and closed positions with respect to an associated hatch opening, so as to accommodate the movement in either direction of the freight containers 100 into and out of the hold of the ship 15u. In the arrangement, a railway track ll is arranged within the hold of the ship 150, which railway track 15l is also of the previously described narrow gauge, so that it is capable of cooperative ralation with the rollers 1 l 101 carried by the underframe 104 of the freight container i), in the manner previously explained.

Further, the ship 150 comprises a drawbridge 152 that is pivotally mounted at the inner end thereof, as indicated at 153; which drawbridge 152 also carries a railway track 154 of the previously mentioned narrow gauge. The inner end of the railway track 154 carried by the drawbridge 152 cooperates with the adjacent end of the railway track 151 arranged in the hold of the ship 15G; and the outer end of the railway track 154 carried by the drawbridge 152 is adapted to cooperate with the auxiliary track provided on the top of the frame 61a of the highway semi-trailer 60. In the arrangement, the pier 155 upon which the highway semi-trailer 69a is supported, is provided with an abutment 156 that supports the outer end of the drawbridge 152, when the drawbridge 152 occupies its operated position spanning the gap between the pier 155 and the adjacent end of the ship 15d, as illustrated in FG. 9. When the drawbridge 152 occupies its spanning position illustrated in FIG. 9, it is apparent that the freight containers 190 may be readily moved in either direction between the frame 61a of the highway semi-trailer 60a and the railway track 151 carried in the hold of the ship 150 and across the section of railway track 154 carried by the drawbridge 152. For the purpose of moving the drawbriclge 152 into and out of its operative spanning position, as explained above, a motorized reel 157 is provided in the hold of the ship 150 and connected by an associated iiexible cable 155 to the outer end of the drawbridge 152. Of course, the selective operation of the motorized reel 157 is effective appropriately to move the drawbridge 152 into and out of its spanning position, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In passing, it is mentioned that the normal stored position of the drawbridge 152 is illustrated in dotted lines in the hold of the ship 156; whereby at this time, a hatch door, not shown, of the ship d may be operated into its closed position to render the ship watertight. Further, it is pointed out that suitable latch mechanisms, indicated at 159, are carried by the railway track 151 for the purpose of restraining the freight containers 141) in their supported positions upon the railway track 151 in the hold of the ship 159.

Finally, in conjunction with the storage of the freight containers 100 in the hold of the ship 159, itis noted that by the utilization of hoisting mechanism, not shown, that is normally provided in the hold of the ship 15d, one or more of the freight containers 100 may be arranged in stacked relation with respect to other of the freight containers 109, as explained more fully hereinafter, for the purpose of conserving cargo space in 'the hold of the ship 150.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a modified form of the freight container 21H3 is there illustrated that is essentially of the construction of the freight container 109, as best shown in FIGS. l, 4, and 8; which freight container 201i comprises a rigid underframe 204 carrying a oor 205 and upstanding boundary wall structure 206. InV this construction, the two longitudinally spaced-apart pairs of laterally spaced-apart flanged rollers 261 carried by the underframe 204 project well downwardly below the bottom plane of lthe underframe 204 and are adapted to engage a substantially horizontal supporting surface upon which the freight container 206 is mounted, as well as to cooperate with the auxiliary track provided on the top of the frame 65 of the highway semi-trailer 60 orthe auxiliary track provided on thertop of the center sill 41v of the railway car 46, in the manner previously explained.

More particularly, in this case, each pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart angle members 214 rigidly secured to the underframe 204 depend therebelow and carry the axle 215 upon which the lianged roller 291 is rotatably mounted. Specifically, the roller 261 includes an inner rail-engaging annular portion Zilla of small diameter and an outer highway-engaging annular portion 26117 of large diameter. Thus the outer annular portion 2016 constitutes a flange for the inner annular portion 261e; whereby the roller 201 is, in fact, a flanged roller, the annular abutment 201C joining the annular portions 201a and 2Mb constituting an annular guide flange cooperating with the outer edge of the associated rail. Moreover, each pair of laterally spaced-apart rollers 201 are inwardly facing so that they straddle the rails vof the associated auxiliary track for the guide purpose, as previously explained. Further, the underframe 201 carries the longitudinally extending pair of laterally spaced-apart tie-down bars 2G33 that cooperate either with the hook structure 'i6 carried by the frame 65 of the highway semitrailer 69 or the hook structure 5% carried by the center sill 41 of the railway car 49, for the purpose previously explained.

ln this form of the freight container Ztltl, there is, of course, no longitudinally extending saddle provided in the underframe 264; whereby the plane of the bottom of the underframe 204 is disposed somewhat above the plane of the top of the frame of the highway semitrailer 60, when the freight container 265i occupies its supported position with respect thereto. Similarly, vthe plane of the bottom of the underfraine 2&4 is disposed somewhat above the plane of the top of the center sill 41 of the railway car dit, when the freight container- 250 occupies its supported position with respect thereto. Furthermore, as previously noted, the freight container 265 may be drawn along or otherwise rolled across a highway or other substantially horizontal supporting surface, at least for handling purposes, by virtue of the projection of the outer annular portions 2011) of the rollers 201 well below `the bottom plane of the underframe 2114 and the rather broad extent of the annular surfaces 2Mb for this highway-engaging purpose.

Referring now to FIG. 1l, the form of the freight container 36@ there illustrated is fundamentally the same as that of the freight container 16MB, as previously described, except that in this case, the underframe 304 carries the two longitudinally spaced-apart pairs of laterally spacedapart low rollers Stil that are entirely cylindrical and that carry no flanges thereon. Each of the rollers 351 is rotatably mounted upon the associated axle 315 that is carried by the associated pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart angle members 314 that are rigidly secured to the underframe Still. In the construction, each of the rollers 391 depends into the centrally disposed longitudinally extending saddle 316 arranged in the underframe 31M and positioned near the adjacent side thereof, so that the lower surface of each roller 301 is disposed well above the plane of the bottom of the underframe 3654. Accordingly, the shoulders 311e disposed at the opposite sides of each of the laterally extending elements 311, etc., deiining the underframe 3114 constitute guide members that cooperate with the adjacent edges of the rails of the associated auxiliary track provided either upon the top of the frame 65 or upon the top of the center sill 11 for the guide purpose,V as previously explained. Recapitulating: in the freight container 390, the shoulders 311a constitute the guide members that cooperate with the rails of the auxiliary track, since the low rollers 361 are' not hanged for the guide purpose.

Referring now to FIG. l2, the form of the freight container 306A. there shown is identical to that of the freight container 30@ shown in FIG. ll, except that in the freight container 359A the rollers that are adapted to be carried by the axles 315 are not assembled thereupon. More particularly, the freight containers 350A are frequently sold without the lower rollers; whereby the user may subsequently purchase and install therein either the flanged rollers 101, as shown in the form of the container of FIG. 8, or the lower rollers 391 as shown in the form of the container Stil? of FIG. li.

Moreover7 it is pointed out some users of the freight containers 360A handle the containers entirely by crane, or other hoisting devices; whereby the rollers are, in

fact, never installed upon the shafts 315 that are provided for the purpose of mounting the rollers, in the event that they are employed.

In the last mentioned case where the container 390A is employed without the rollers on the underframe 394 thereof, the container is lifted by a hoist, or the like, between its supported position upon the top of the frame 65 of the highway semi-trailer 6i) and its supported position upon the top of the center sill 41 of the railway car 4t). In this case, the lower portions of the elements 311, etc., forming the underframe 304 directly engage the cooperating auxiliary track; and the underframe 304 is secured in place bythe cooperation of the tie-down rods 303 and the associated hook structure, all in the manner previously explained. When the container 396A occupies its mounted position upon the top of the frame 65 of the highway semi-trailer 60, it is not arranged for longitudinal movements, so that the absence of the low rollers from the underframe 304 is of no moment. Gn the other hand, when the container 390A occupies its mounted position upon the top of the center sill 41 of the railway car 4t?, it is arranged for longitudinal sliding movements as previously explained, and the absence of the low rollers from the underframe 3i4 merely increases sliding friction between the underframe 394 and the top of the center sill 41, without preventing limited longitudinal sliding movements of the freight container 300A with respect to the railway car Ait), as previously explained.

Referring now to FIG. 13, the modified form of the freight container 411i) there illustrated is of the basic construction of that of the container 19o previously described, and in this case, the rigid underframe 464 thereof comprises the laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart end channels 499 and the longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart side channels 41u that are rigidly secured together, The centrally disposed and longitudinally extending saddle 416 that is formed in the laterally extending elements 4119, etc., accommodates the top of the associated frame 65 of the highway semitrailer 60 or the top of the center sill 41 of the railway car 4G; all in the manner previously explained. The iioor 495 and the upstanding side wall structure 4136 are carried by the top of the underframe 404; and further, the underframe 494 carries two pairs of laterally spaced-apart iixtures 414, each pair of fixtures 414 projecting forwardly with respect to the associated end channel 469. Each of the fixtures 414 carries an associated bracket 414e: that is pivotally connected thereto by an associated pivot pin 414,5; which bracket 414m is bifurcated to provide a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart arms 414e that carry an associated axle 415 upon which a flanged roller 401 is rotatably mounted. Accordingly, the underframe 464 carries fouriianged rollers 401 arranged in longitudinally spaced-apart pairs that are laterally spaced-apart with respect to each other; which rollers 401 are selectively movable between active and inactive positions. More particularly, each of the rollers 401 may be moved into an inactive position, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 13, upon movement of the associated bracket 414e about the pivot pin 411th connecting the same to the associated fixture $14. Conversely, `each of the rollers 491 may be moved into an active position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 13, upon movement of the associated bracket 414e about the cooperating pivot pin 414i?. When the roller 401 occupies its active position, as shown in solid lines in FIG. 13, it is disposed below the underframe til-4. and in position to engage the cooperating rail of the associated auxiliary track, the arm 414e engaging the saddle 415 provided in the associated end channel 409 for supporting purpose. On the other hand, when the roller @i occupies its inactive position, it is totally removed from below the underframe 464 and is disposed above the underframe 4M and adjacent to the end wall 496, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 13.

Of course, the four rollers 401 are all moved into their active positions for cooperation with the associated auxiliary track, and at this time, the underframe 4414 may be secured in place upon the associated supporting auxiliary track by cooperation of the tie-down bars 4113 and the associated hook structure carried by the supporting vehicle, in the manner previously explained. Of course, when the four rollers dill occupy their inactive positions, the freight container 409 may -be supported upon a suitable supporting surface by direct engagement of the bottom of the underframe 464g with the supporting surface mentioned, since at this time, the four rollers 4%1 in their inactive positions are disposed well above the underframe 4&4.

Referring now to FIGS. 14A, 14B and l5, a modiiied form of the freight container Sil@ is shown in cooperating relationship with the center sill 41 ot' the railway car 4G; which freight container 5419 comprises the underframe 504 that includes the laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart end channels 509 and the longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart side channels 510; which underframe 564 carries the `iloor 505 and the upstanding side wall structure 506. The laterally extending members 509, etc., are provided with the centrally disposed and longitudinally extending saddle 516 therein that is adapted to straddle the auxiliary track provided on the top oi' the center sill 41; all in the manner previously explained.

In this construction, the underframe Sill-l carries four of the rollers 561 that are respectively mounted upon the four axles 515 that are respectively carried by the four arms 51d. The inner ends of each pair of arms are pivotally mounted upon a laterally extending pivot bar 51de carried by the side channels 510; whereby each pair of the rollers 561 are movable between an inactive position, as shown in FIG. 14A, and an active position, as shown in FIG. 14B; also the inactive position of the roller 591 is shown in solid lines in FIG. 15, while the active position thereof is shown in dotted lines therein. Further, the underframe 504 carries four rigid stops 514b that respectively cooperate with the four pivotally mounted arms 514 for the purpose of restraining the arms 514 in their active positions, thereby to restrain the rollers 591 in their active positions; all as clearly illustrated in FIG. l5.

When the rollers 501 occupy their inactive positions, as illustrated in solid lines in FIG. l5, the saddle 516 provided in the various laterally extending members 509, etc., directly engages the rails 45 of the auxiliary track provided on the top of the center sill 41 for the purpose of supporting the freight container 560; while the four rollers 5tl1 in their inactive positions merely rest upon the tops of the associated rails 45, without supporting the associated freight container d. On the other hand, when the rollers Sill occupy their active positions, as illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 15, the saddle 516 provided in the various laterally extending members 509 is positioned above the rails 45 and the rollers 591 directly carry the weight of the freight container 54161, the arms 514 being restrained in their active positions at this time by engagement with the associated stops 514th. Accordingly, it will be understood that when the rollers 501 are moved into their inactive positions, the freight container 560 is lowered into direct engagement with the rails d5, as shown in FIG. 14A; on the other hand, when the rollers 501 are moved intor their active positions, the freight container 500 is elevated out of direct contact with the rails 45, as shown in FIG. 14B. More particularly, when the rollers 501 occupy their inactive positions, the freight container 530 is supported upon the rails 45 by direct engagement of the underframe 5M with the rails 45; and when the rollers 561 occupy their active positions, the freight container 560 is supported upon the rails 45 by direct engagement of the l rollers 501 therewith and with the underframe 50d elevated out of contact with the rails 4S.

The active and inactive positions of each of the rollers 5&1 are respectively disposed upon opposite sides of the associated pivot bar 5145i, as clearly shown in FIG. whereby the active position of each of the arms 514, and consequently of each of the rollers 591, constitutes a stable position thereof, since the arm 514 in its active position is restrained therein by engagement with the associated stop Sieb carried by the underframe 504.

For the purpose of moving the rollers '501 from their inactive positions of FG. 14A into their active positions of FIG. 14B, a pair of actuating pins 41a are respectively carried by the I-beams comprising the center sill 41 of the railway car 4t), as illustrated in FIG. 15. Accordingly, when the actuating pins 41a occupy their retracted positions, the freight container 560 may be placed in supported position upon the top of the center sill 41 and slid longitudinally therealong. In the arrangement, after the front end channel 589 has passed over the tops of the pair of actuating pins 41a in their retracted positions, the actuating pins 41a may be operated into their projected positions so that they are then in interfering relation with respect to the associated front pair of rollers 501. Continued forward movement of the freight container 500 causes the front pair of rollers 561 directly to engage the projected actuating pins 41a; whereby the front end of the freight container Still is lifted as the pair of arms 514 are pivoted in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 514e, as viewed in FIG. 15; whereby the front pair of rollers S61 are operated from their inactive positions, as shown in solid lines therein, into their active positions, as shown in dotted lines therein. Of course, continued forward movement of the freight container 500 causes the actuating pins 41a to engage the rear pair of rollers Stil; whereby the rear pair of rollers are operated from their inactive poisitions into their active positions in a similar manner. At this time, the actuating pins 41a may be operated back into their retracted positions, so that they do not interfere with the rear end channel 509.

In the operation of this form of the freight container 590, the same is normally lifted by a hoist onto the top of the center sill 41 of the railway car 40 and is then drawn forwardly along the center sill 41 into eooperating relation with respect to the actuating pins 41a for the puropse of effecting the operation of the rollers 591 from their inactive positions into their active positions, as explained above. Thereafter, the freight container 500 may be rolled longitudinally along the auxiliary track provided on top of the center sill 41 of the railway car 4@ and onto the auxiliary track provided on the frame 65 of the highway semi-trailer 60, in the manner previously explained. However, subsequenlty when the freight container Silit is hoisted, the rollers 561 are automatically returned by gravity back into their inactive positions; whereby the freight container 500 may be directly supported upon a supporting surface by direct engagement of the underframe S64.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 17, a modified form 0f the freight container underframe 604 is illustrated that comprises a pair of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart side channels 609 and a pair of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart end channels 610 suitably welded together adjacent to the ends thereof. Also, the underframe 664 comprises a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart intermediate channels 60% and a number of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart intermediate I-beams 611, thereby providing the strong rigid composite underframe 694.

Also, the underfrarne 6M comprises front and rear pairs of longitudinally extending and laterally spacedapart channel members 614, each of the channel members 614 extending longitudinally between the adjacent pair of intermediate l-beams 611 disposedadjacen-t to one of the end channels 610 and also positioned laterally between -the adjacent side channel 699 and the adjacent intermediate channel 669e. ln the box-like volume delined between each of the channel members 614 and the associated intermediate channel 669e, one of the rollers 691 is arranged upon its cooperating supporting axle 61S. Accordingly, the underframe 694 carries front and rear longitudinally spaced-apart pairs of laterally spaced-apart flanged rollers 661 that are of the narrow gauge of the auxiliary tracks provided on the top of the frame 65 and on the top of the center sill 41 for the previously described purpose. Also the underframe 6&4 carries front and rear longitudinally spaced-apart pairs of laterally spaced-apart tie-down members 693. Each of the tiedown members 603 is rigidly secured to the adjacent portion of the intermediate channel in lateral alignment with the associated roller 661 and projecting laterally inwardly with respect thereto, as shown in FIG. 17.

When the underframe 604 is mounted upon the frame of the highway semi-trailer 60, the front and rear pairs of hooks 76 respectively cooperate with the front and rear pairs of tie-down members 6633, the longitudinal spacing between the front and rear pairs of tie-down members 63 corresponding to the longitudinal spacing between the front and rear pairs of hooks 76 in order to obtain the cooperation mentioned. On the other hand, when the underframe 694 is mounted upon the center sill 41 of the railway car 40, only the rear pair of tie-down members 663 cooperate with the associated pair of hooks 5@ carried by the cooperating tie-down and shock-absorbing mechanism d6 provided in the center sill 41, for the purpose mentioned. Of course, it will be understood that when the underframe 664 is mounted upon the center sill l1 of the railway car 4l), it is necessary to position the same longitudinally therealong so that the hooks 5@ of the cooperating mechanism 46 are positioned in alignment with the rear pair of tie-down members 603 for the tie-down purpose.

Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 18, a modified form 0f the freight container underframe 704 is illustrated that is especially adapted for use upon the railway car 40; which underfrarne 704 comprises a pair of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart side channels 769 and a pair of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart end channels 710 suitably welded together adjacent to the ends thereof. Also the underframe 704 comprises a pair of longitudinally extending and laterally spaced-apart intermediate channels 709e and a number of laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart intermediate channels 711, thereby providing the strong rigid composite underframe 7b4.

Also the underframe 794 comprises front and rear laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart channels 711a respectively disposed outwardly with respect to the adjacent intermediate channels 711 and respectively disposed inwardly with respect to the adjacent end channels 71tl. Each of the channels 711e is secured at the opposite ends thereof to the adjacent intermediate channels 709a thereby to provide a box-like structure 763 adjacent to the end of the underframe 704; which boxlike structure 703 at the rear end of the underfrarne 794 is adapted :to receive the cooperating pair of hooks 50 carried by the associated mechanism 46 arranged in the center sill 41 of the railway car 4d, as explained more fully hereinafter. Also the intermediate channels 711 disposed adjacent to the opposite ends of the underframe 794 carry a pair of laterally spaced-apart and outwardly projecting studs 714 that respectively carry in cooperation with the adjacent intermediate channels 711 the axles 715 upon which the flanged rollers 701 are rotatably mounted. Of course, the gauge of the two pairs of low rollers 701 match the gauge of the auxiliary track provided On 'the top of the center sill 41 of the railway car 17 40 for the supporting purpose as previously explained. Further the underrame litt comprises. a. Pair Qt guide plates 71lb respectively arranged at the opposite ends thereof and adapted to cooptate, With the hools Si)` carried by the associated mechjanign 4,6 in thecenter sill il of the railway car 4Q. More particularly, each of the guide plates 711b is arranged at the corresponding end of the underframe 704. and is positioned between the adjacent ends of the intermediate channels 70% and extend longitudinally between theA lower flange of the adjacent end channel 710. and the 10M/@t dans@ 0f the adjacent channel 711g. As illustrated in FIG. l9 the lower flange of the end channel 710 is disposed substantially below the lower ange of the channel 7115;, whereby the guide plate 7111.5 is upwardly and inwardly inclined from the saddle 716 provided in the adjacent end channel 71) t0 the. open box-like structure 703- When the underfranie 7tlg is mounted upon the center sill 41 of the railway car di! it is supported by the low rollers 701 in direct engagement with the railsd'S; provided on the top of the center sill rdlr'withthe saddle 7.16 formed in the various laterally extending element 7M), etc., straddling the center sillf'tlV inthe manner previously described. After the underframe '7l4'has been rolled along the center sill 4l substantially into proper relationship with the associated rnecl'ianismr 46,' but while the underframe 78,45 is disposed somewhat `forwardly with respect to its iinal cooperating position with th@ Ssociated mechanism 46, theY mechanismfd'may lbe'oinerated 'so asto actu-ate the hooks 5.0 thereof from'their fullyV retracted positions upwardly 'tow-ard'their projected positions and into engagement with the associated guide plateV 7];15. At this time the hoxlike structure 7,503; latthe rear of the underframe 764 is disposed somewhat'forwardly of Vits nal position withrespect'to thecoop'erating mechanism 4e, whereby the underframe 704 may be moved 'further rearwardly, simultaneously with further actuation of the hooks Sil of the mechanism do further toward'theirprojected positions, whereby'the hooks Sii ride along the guide plate 712th and are guided directly into alignment with the hollow box-like structure 763. lh ,ll'ore'particularly, when the hoolgs Sil of the mechanism f6 are ldisposed in alignment with the hollowbox-like structure 793 'anddirectly therebelow, the hook-s 50 nieve upwardly into the hollow box-like structure 703, thereby preventing further rolling movement of the underfrar'ne 70d along the top of'the center siil el. At this time the hooks 5t) of the mechanism do'rnay be actuated into their fully projected positions upwardly into the hollow boxlike structure 7b3 and between the adjacent channels`71l and 711a disposed the rear of y,theunderfrarne'704, whereby at this time the underfranie 70d vis eifectively connected to the mechanism do via the hooks'StB and thus to lthe center sill 41 of the railway car di) for the shock-absorbing purpose, as previously explained. At this point it is noted that whenl the underfrarne 7M is thus effectively connected to the hools Si? of the associated mechanism to it is not tieddown in the sense that the underframe 107tof the freight container 10i) is tied-down by the cooperation between the tie-down bars i013 thereof and the hooks Stiof them'ech'anis'm de. However,"notwithstanding this lack of tie-down, the underframe i70.6 isunevertheless eifectivelyconnected to the mechanism 'do carried 4by the center sill dlio'f the railway car 42d, since the hooks 53@ are projected upwardly into the hollow box-like structure 793 allowing very small longitudinal movement of the underfrarne 'iodwith respect tothe hooks Si), since the hooksl 5t) are ydesigned substantially completely to fill Vup the space deinedby the hollow box-like structure .793.

ln passing it is noted that it is not fundamentally necessary to tie-clown the underfrarne 794i in the vertical direction as long as it is suitably secured to the hook structure 5,0 for shock-absorbing of the longitudinal rolling movements thereof along the auxiliary track pro rigid und earryi' ythe low hanged rollers 10 @fait .co statutaria@ paridad. on the topofy thA rife sill all lthey manner previously describedrh th 'eensrfueton 'fue ,aduie sie is previded inthe cen io the l yefra'llyextending i i nd :Chlllels 31,6. Caf* an; tie-down devices 8103 r ithdhe flanges of the rails pra .dyed 5111 the tdt of.. the C Y. culsrlyech Qf thetedown'di a br'fa'clgeft Stlf carrying` aslidably mounted locls pin" 80li Vhaving espective active `and inactive positions, y yillustrated in FIGS. 2.1 and 22, the $0,317 of dV I *8:03 occupies itsactive or locked positionv underha ging the adjacent outwardly traced nage. a este of; the a1-vacant team of the center sill'fil; thereby'to 'secure thefreight'carrier om) in'its supported pr ori upon the center sill "41. Of course, 'itiwillbe' `od that the locl'r pin 363 may be readily withdrawn into its 'inactive' or Vunlocked 'position with respect to the y idj'aelent1 Harige of thiol-beam of the center sill'dl, so'as to'aceo'mniodate the removal of the freight containerl 805)' forrfV its supported position upon the Centeris'illffll. ik

I In the operation of the freight container 00, after the same'li''s beenibroug'ht into'its proper supported position appa the center si1141'g'therour devices ses are individual operated into their locked positions, thereby to secure the'freighbcoiitiner800 position upon the center sill 4l. course, prior 'torei'noval'of the freight container 806 from supported position'upon the center sillV 41,. each of'theJfoudevi'ees S03' is manually operated in to its'unlocled position. `l

'Also' construction the underfrarne 804 is provided with structure, includingthe" laterally extending and longitudinally' placed-apart elements l811 and straat the ends thereof and definingthe hollow box-likest'ructures'f'll'f liat'ar adapted toreceive the' hooks 50 of the mechanism d6 incorporated in the centersill 41 as illustratedinF-IG. 22. 'This' arrangerne'nt for selectively connecting'the iiiider'frame'td tothe hooks SQ Mof the mechanism is"findaineritally" the saine "as tha`t"pre viously Adescribed inlcohjl notion with the modified form of the 7il4`shown FIGSlSV and 19."

Killustrated in FIG.= 22 theV underframe 304Y of the freight container 800 vis `'operatively' connected to the mechanism carried in thecenter sill 41 bythe hooks SQ in'ltheir projected positions in' the box-like structure 03; whiie the` underframe is tiedldown inthe vertical direction 'withrespe'ct yto the center sill'll` by the four devicesy 393m th r locked positions. Thus, vthe connection between the underframeht andthe hooks 50 is established at the bo likstructurev S533 disposed at the rear ofl the underframe l304, while the vertical' tie-down ofthe' undermine ses 'terne enter $11141 is effected by the Oner'atvs POSitQtlS of he'ifur devices 303- Referring now to FIGS. 23, 24 and 25, the freight containers '900 there illustrated are especially designed to accommodate stacking thereof; which stacking of the containers 90) is particularly useful'when' they are arranged in the hold lof a ship in the general manner previously describedin'conjunction with FIG. l9, since vthis arrangement conserves valuable cargo space in the hold of Ytlieship. As illustrated," the lower container 900 is dletly ssaeoftd .upon wsp'atg fsils 931i' (greatly exaggerated'in for purpose of illustati'on)` by the en- 

1. A FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION UNIT COMPRISING, A VEHICLE INCLUDING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING NARROW RIGID FRAME, THE UPPER SIDE EDGES OF SAID FRAME CONSTITUTING RAILS PROVIDING A LATERALLY EXTENDING TRACK ON THE TOP SIDE THEREOF, A FREIGHT CARRIER INCLUDING A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING RIGID FRAME PROVIDED WITH A NARROW SUBSTANTIALLY CENTRALLY DISPOSED AND LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING SADDLE IN THE BOTTOM THEREOF, SAID SADDLE HAVING A WIDTH ONLY SOMEWHAT GREATER THAN THAT OF SAID VEHICLE FRAME BETWEEN THE UPPER SIDE EDGES THEREOF AND ADAPTED TO STRADDLE LATERALLY THE SAME WITH THE BOTTOM OF SAID SADDLE SUPPORTED ON THE TOPS OF SAID UPPER SIDE EDGES SO AS TO MOUNT SAID FREIGHT CARRIER FRAME UPON SAID TRACK ON THE TOP OF SAID VEHICLE FRAME, SAID SADDLE STRADDLING LATERALLY THE TOPS OF SAID UPPER SIDE EDGES ACCOMMODATING GUIDE LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENTS OF SAID FREIGHT CARRIER FRAME UPON THE TOP OF SAID VEHICLE FRAME INCIDENT TO PLACEMENT AND TO REMOVAL OF SAID FREIGHT CARRIER FRAME WITH RESPECT TO SAID VEHICLE FRAME, AND MECHANISM CARRIED BY SAID VEHICLE FRAME AND SELECTIVELY OPERATIVE BETWEEN ACTIVE AND INACTIVE POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO SAID FREIGHT CARRIER FRAME WHEN IT IS MOUNTED UPON THE TOP OF SAID VEHICLE FRAME, SAID MECHANISM IN ITS ACTIVE POSITION ENGAGING SAID FREIGHT CARRIER FRAME SO AS TO HOLD IT IN PLACE IN ITS MOUNTED POSITION UPON THE TOP OF SAID VEHICLE FRAME AND IN ITS INACTIVE POSITION DISENGAGING SAID FREIGHT CARRIER FRAME SO AS TO RELEASE IT IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE THE ROMOVAL THEREOF FROM SAID VEHICLE FRAME. 